Last night,
after I was settled
in from the move,
I had another
nightmare.
It’s one that
haunts me.
Creatures
come from outer space.
They look just like people
only they’re covered
in brown fur.
And they’re blind.
They snap long whips
to see where people are.
In my dream they
always get close,
but they never can quite catch me,
which is good,
because then I can warn people
aliens are here on earth,
coming to get us.
and remember the diary.
I know where it is.
I know
where Liz’s kept it hid all along.
I turn on my side
and stare at my sister’s mattress
left propped next
to the wall
because Momma didn’t
have the time to
set things up
for Lizzie.
She ain’t here is she?
Momma said.
So why should I do it?
I couldn’t
argue with that.
My hands shake
and I’m not sure
if it’s the dream
making me feel this way
But
something leaves me with
cold guts.
Think of something else,
I say to myself.
My voice sounds so loud
in the semi-dark
of this new room
with less of a promise
of Liz
than the last.
And lonely, too.